Dads, 23 Things to teach your son

I might not know everything there is to know and the boy might not fully understand why he is learning what I decide to teach him… But I’m sure he’ll thank me at some point in his life.

There’s something special about dads teaching their sons invaluable skills for getting through life. When I found out I was having a son, all the wonderful, both practical & emotional, essential life skills that I will need to teach him flashed before my eyes. Amongst other things, I could see the two of us calmly sitting on a log, pen knives in hand and me teaching him to always cut away from your body and to keep your fingers out the way.

There are so many things that I simply can’t wait to teach my son and so I’ve compiled them into a list of 23 things:

23 valuable things I think you’ll agree! He won’t get far through life without these essential things which is why it’s important for me to teach my son them! He’ll be fine now if he has to use reef knot to repair his bike so he can cycle to collect his car to drive to his girlfriends in a blue shirt without headphones in and gets caught in the wilderness having to hunt for his own food. Absolutely fine… And he’ll be polite to any bears that try to attack him too! #jobwelldonedad

What are you most looking forward about teaching your son? Or daughter? What’s the best way of teaching our children?

Great post Al. Number 9 and 12 strike a chord with me. I’ve been lost t walking in the lakes too many times to not realise the importance of learning to use a compass. I have also put together countless flat pack furniture items WRONG. I realise half way through when I actually think it’s a good idea to read the instructions, then I have to dismantle and start again….doh. Tor x

Great. I’m happy for my 5 to wake mum up because she doesn’t live with me and wouldn’t hurt her to spend more time with these children. I don’t know if I’m one to read instructions but it does seem logical. It’s going to make me think now :)

I’d add these 3 things (or at least I’m looking forward to teaching The Boy these):
1) How to cook an impressive meal for two
2) That responsibility is not the same as blame.
3) What good coffee really tastes like

Of course, I first need to learn how to fix a bike and use a hammer and saw. And cook an impressive meal for two…

Totally fabulous post and all these are on my list for all our kids. Plus can i just add – i was walking home in the dark once and I saw a guy coming the opposite way towards me. The inevitable thoughts crossed my mind (it’s unnerving!) and he suddenly looked up, saw me and crossed over to the other side and carried on walking and then I saw him cross back over to my side further down the road.

That was the most empathetic gentlemanly thing I’ve ever witness and it was so appreciated. Please teach your boy that too?

Brilliant. I love the fact you will tell him to avoid Facebook. Don’t wake up Mum should be the top of any list. Lol. I’d have teach him to polish and shine his shoes. My Dad always told me to make sure shoes were cleaned and poliahed , you don’t know who you’ll meet.

Spearheaded by Al Ferguson, The Dad Network combines a personal blog with an ever-growing community of dads. Created as a personal outlet for Al Ferguson following a devastating miscarriage on his wedding day, The Dad Network has gone on to provide support to thousands of dads across the world.